Walker aide quits amid probe rumors

In the midst of an investigation that may be targeting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s office, Walker’s chief of staff resigned Friday.

Keith Gilkes will leave Walker’s office on Oct. 8, according to The Associated Press. WisPolitics, a state news website, reported that deputy chief of staff Eric Schutt would replace Gilkes.

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Gilkes has led the Walker administration through a tumultuous year that has included high-profile clashes with public-sector unions over collective bargaining rights, as well as the passage of Walker’s first state budget.

Gilkes said he would return to his business as a political consultant. The governor’s campaign committee announced on Friday that Gilkes would function as a lead adviser for them.

The outgoing chief of staff said his coming departure has nothing to do with an ongoing “John Doe” criminal probe by the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office that some suspect is examining whether Walker’s staff engaged in political activity on taxpayer time.

“Gilkes’s resignation was not related to the John Doe investigation in any way,” said Walker spokesperson Chris Schrimpf.

A “John Doe” investigation is a secret proceeding in which witnesses can be subpoenaed and required to testify under oath, but are forbidden from talking publicly about the probe or its target.

Last week it was reported that Walker’s chief spokesperson, Cullen Werwie, had been granted immunity in the probe, raising suspicions that the investigation may be aimed at the governor’s office.

Two weeks ago four FBI agents raided the home of a former top Walker aide, Cynthia Archer, who until recently served as Walker’s deputy administration secretary. Archer has since moved on to a job with the Department of Children and Families but is currently on sick leave.

The “John Doe” investigation began last year around the same time that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Walker’s former constituent services coordinator, Darlene Wick, who frequently commented on blogs and online articles about Walker, then a county executive, while on the job. Wick resigned, and her work computer was seized by authorities.

Corrections: An earlier version of this story said Cullen Werwie was granted immunity last week - immunity was granted in April, but was announced last week. Darlene Wick worked for Walker when he was a county executive, not in the governor’s office as an earlier version implied.

CORRECTION: Corrected by: Austin Wright @ 09/30/2011 06:23 PM
Corrections: An earlier version of this story said Cullen Werwie was granted immunity last week - immunity was granted in April, but was announced last week. Darlene Wick worked for Walker when he was a county executive, not in the governor’s office as an earlier version implied.